St. Landry democrat., 1887-11-05
THE VACANT ROOM.
Punishment Melted Out to a Younger Sor
Of Noble Family.
LOUIS NoRTHRoP.
tCopyri0nted. IsS7.1


A brilliant London season was draw
ing to close when accepted an invita-
ton from Sir George Gresham to spend
the month of August at his seat in Dew
onshire.
My acquaintance with the Gresham
family began in Switzerland two years
before the date of this story, and was &C.
casioned by my saving the life of Arthur
Gresham, Sir Georges only and idolized
son, while boating on Lake Geneva.
From that hour all their proud English
reserve melted away, and I was received
by the whole family as one who had
placed them all under an obligation which
could never be repaid. The family con-
sisted of Sir George and Lady Gresham,
Arthur and his two sisters, Mary and
Elinor.
The fair daughters of this ancient fam
lily were worthy of their long descent.
They both possessed that exquisite re-
fnement and those high-born graces
which are found in Van Dyck's loveliest
female portraits, representing, as they
do, the transmitted leauty of dozen
generations. Elinor was tall and stately
blonde. She possessed all the repose of
manner, but none of the hardness of
heart, of the Lady Clara We're de Vere
Mary was very different from her
stately sister in manners and appearance;
small, but faultlessly formed, she was
full Of joy, brightness and enthusiasm.
Her face glowed with youth, beauty and
the sweetest human sympathy. Thrown
in the daily and hourly companionship
of this lovely girl, boating, riding, walk
ing with her, reading the same books,
singing the same songs, viewing the same
scenery, we soon discovered that we had
a wonderful congenialty of tastes, feel
ings and sentiments. When we separated
in the autumn, she to return to England,
and | to resume my artistic studies at
Rome, q perfect understanding, but no
positive engagement, existed between us
was too poor and proud to bind to my
humble fortunes one whose birth entitled
her to wear and whose beauty would
have adorned ducal coronet.
After parting in Switzerland, we did
not meet again for two years. In the
meantime an extraordinary change had
taken place in my fortunes. A long
pending claim against the United States
government had been decided favorably,
and found myself in the possession of
handsome competence. Meanwhile
had correspondent with Mary Gresham
and an attachment had ripened into a
charming intimacy. Now ventured to
make a formal demand for her hand.
My suit was approved by Sir George;
and / was invited to Devonshire to spend
the month Of August.
The sum was just setting as I drove
through the beautiful avenues of Ores
ham Park, and when l stopped before
the entrance to stately, castellated
mansion of the purest style of the seven
teenth century, a footman in gray and
scarlet livery opened the door, said was
expected, and put me in charge of a
servant out of livery, who took my trav-
cling bag and escorted me to my room.
The chamber in which I found myself
had strange and antique appearance
The windows were high and narrow
the furniture was of that heavy, Dutch
style which was brought into England.by
William of Orange, and altogether the
room presented very wild and uninvit-
ing aspect
The servant informed me that Sir
George had been Unexpectedly called
away from home to attend an important
meeting in the next county, that the Park
was crowded with guests, and in con-
sequence I had been assigned to an
apartment in an old and unoccupied wing
of the house.
"What part of the castle is this ?" in
quired with natural curiosity.
"A very ancient and remote part; it
has not been occupied within the recol-
lection Of any person now living at the
castle. 1t ia said to be haunted; strange
lights are seen here at strange hours"
"What is the dinner hour?'
Eight o'clock; it will be rea ~ in half |
an hour the first bell has already rung."
At table was seated between q wit
and beauty, but / found the one insipid
and the other o pink-faced doll, for OPP
posite me sat Mary Gresham, whose
sparkling wit was fascinating young
noblemaR; for it was as natural
for her to be charming as it Is for
the flowers to bloom and the birds to
sing; buk the poet truly says, "There is
no love without Jealousy"
After dinner | enjoyed stroll through
.he mooaHt park with Mary. play